i never realized that so much of what i do each day and night relies on my ability to smell and taste. i was forced to come to this realization last week when i down and out with a wicked cold. perhaps i was (and still am) a big baby about it, but i haven't been sick in quite some time. i suppose not being able to breath, the coughing, congestion, sneezing, and sleepless nights will do that to you, yeah? it's been super frustrating to cook and want to get all experimental in the kitchen only to have an end product that is only distinguishable by the contents of it's sugar, salt, or acid (i.e. the only things halfway distinguishable). i guess my point is that until one of these senses is temporarily not working, it's not entirely clear how important a purpose they serve. because of my limited ability to smell and taste, i have commissioned my unofficial taste-tester: my husband. he has been happily testing my puffy pancakes in my attempt to get them just right. he doubted his palette and his ability to distinguish flavors, but i found his feedback quite helpful these past few days. i have come to rely on him in yet another way i never imagined i would have to. so, here's to my husband, who brings you these fun, puffy pancakes.

i was gifted a bottle of boiled cider by my mother. when i asked her what to do with it, she said something along the lines of "i don't know, play with it." the teacher in me decided to go with an apple theme with this recipe and i took to replacing some of the pancake's liquid with cider. the cider is not sweetened and therefore lends a tanginess to the pancake much similar to baked goods with sour cream or buttermilk - yes! frank and i love honeycrisp apples, and they're at their absolute finest this time of year, so in they went. (i hear honeycrisps are not so easy to come by outside new york state, i would say that gala apples or pink lady apples would make great substitutes.) dutch baby pancakes or puffed pancakes seem to really be making the rounds on the interwebs since autumn has come to. so, i wanted to make a version that i could enjoy and eat, and of course also share with you all. i had had my eye on a beautiful recipe from a publication i received last year, and it took me awhile, but i managed to swap most of the flour and dairy products with ingredients that i normally bake with to make a light and puffy pancake that's crisp in all the right places!

apple cider + honeycrisp puffed pancake | GF + V

the flour and arrowroot powder can be substituted with any other flour with the same amount. i use coconut palm sugar because of its low glycemic index, but it can similarly be replaced by any other sugar - i'm not sure how liquid sweetener would be since the batter is essentially liquid to begin with

directions

preheat the oven to 425°

heat your cast iron pan to medium-low on the stovetop. when hot, add the coconut oil. using a silicone pastry brush, brush up the sides and all around the pan to coat evenly with the oil (if you don't have a pastry brush, using a paper towel will work as well). add the apples, stir in a 1/2 teaspoon of the coconut palm sugar and sprinkle with nutmeg and cinnamon to taste - stir. cook the apples about 2-3 minutes on each side until they're lightly browned and soft. arrange them to cover the bottom of the pan. turn off the heat and set aside

in a blender or food processor, add the almond flour, arrowroot, salt, sugar and spices; pulse to combine. then add the eggs, coconut milk, and cider. blend for approximately 1 minute

pour the batter (it will be quite thin) into the pan to cover the apples. very carefully, place the pan into the middle of the oven - bake for 15-20 minutes until pancake puffs up and lightly browned on top and around the edges